Collapsible drum



Dec. 2, 1941. R. P. TooKE COLLAPSIBLE DRUM s sheets-sheet 1 Filed May 2, 1941 INVBNTOR ROY'R TOKE BYMJC y Dec. 2,' 1941. R, p, TOOKE 2,265,087 I COLLAPS-IBLE DRUM Filed May 2, 1941 -3 Sheets-SheetZ l \\z6 26 .Cl-"

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PatentedA Deo?, 1941 l UNITED STAT `coLLAIPslBLE DRUM Roy P. Tooke,` Butlerpll'va., Construction Company,

assigner to Morgan Worcester. Mass., a

. corporation of Massachusetts Y L'Application May 2, 1941, serial No. 391,521 v 15 Claims. (ci. 242-72) This invention relates to collapsible drums, and

more particularly to a revoluble drum arranged, `to present a substantially cylindrical outer surengagement with kilat strip material.

face for Such material may be wound into a, coil on the drum, whereupon the drum may be collapsed to allow removal of the completedcoil, or the same drum may vbe expanded within the'interior'of a completed coil to support the coil while the strip is paid-ofi therefrom for some operation.

Many difficulties have been encountered with such drums, particularly in the metal working art. Coils of strip metal are often wound under tension, and the successively applied convolutions impose very heavy crushing forces on the drum.

further process or Furthermore, the completed coils may be of gneat .A

weight. Since the outside diameter of the expanded drum is limited and determined by 'the notpossible to construct the various parts as large as inside diameter of the coil, `it i'susuall-y would otherwise be desirable'in View of the Vforces involved. This problem is complicated vby-the necessity for providing a suicient amountof collapse to allow easy removal of 'a completed coil, or easy mounting of a coil on 'the drum when the drum is to be used for unwinding purposes. In the case of a winding drum `it is important to avoid the necessity for great of the operator. in effecting the collapse of the block. Likewise, in the case of an unwinding drum it is important that theoperator Abe able, without excessive muscular eiTort, to expand the drum firmly within the interior ofv a coil with sufncient pressure to prevent slippage of the coil relative to the drum during the unwinding operation. .When the collapsing mechanism in vprior drums is given sufficient mechanical. advantage to eliminate the need for such muscular effort,` it

is found impractical to obtain the desired amount of collapse in a drum of limitedoutside dimensions and at the same time provide the necessary strength for the various parts of the'drum, as well as its supporting shaft. Certain drums heretofore utilizedgdepend 'upon vthe inertiaiof the completed coil/ to bring about lthe collapse of the drum when the' driving shaft is decelerated; `,but this arrangement is not positive, andlthe drum may fail to collapse when .it-issu'pposed to, orV it vv may collapse prematurelyv upon a' relatively ,slight 1 change in speed.

It is accordingly one object of ,the invention-to `provide a collapsible drumiiwhichzcan be made exertion on the part o connected .with the `hub- Fig.r 3 is heavy crushing forces and at the same time afford alarge amount of collapse in proportion to its diameter.

It is a further a collapsible drum which is so constructed that comparatively slight exertion will be required to expand and collapse the drum.

It is a further object of the Vinvention to provide a collapsible drum of a relatively simple and inexpensive construction having manually 'operable means'forexpanding and collapsing the drumvin a positive manner. l

It is a further object of the invention to provide la collapsible drum which will have a large amount of collapse in proportion to its diameter and which. is vnevertheless so constructed that it can be adjusted very easily despite the application of heavy radial expanded.`

With these'and other objects in view, as willbe apparent to those skilled in the art, theinvention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the `specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.- l

Referringto the drawings illustrating one embodiment of the invention and in which like reference numerals indicate like'parts,

Fig. 1 is an end elevation ot a. collapsible drum, A

shown in its expanded position;

Fig.v 2 is a. fragmentary section taken` on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1; Y f

a view similar t Fig. 2 but showing the drum in itscollapsed position, the section being taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4' of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the drum:

lig. Gis a section on the line 6-6 of'Fig. 1;

F' '7 is a section onthe line'I--1 of Figfl'; and 8 is a detail of one of the swivel elements.

`"Ihe embodiment illustrated comprises a horizontal rotatable shaft'or arbor I0 which may be On the outer end of the shaft there is being` prevented by` a key I2. A segment I4 is II and extends-radially therefrom, this segment having a. cylindrical l outer surface I5 'coaxial with the shaft i0. The

comparatively small in diameter while. providing g sufficient strength and rigidity to withstand "turn is supported and shaft I0. `fThe segment I4 is provided with two angularlypositioned and oppositely disposed narhub Il and segment I4 constitute a single and preferably integral supporting member which in `positively driven by the rowv slots- I1.. The front end of the stock may be inserted in one or the other of these slots 1' deobject of the invention to providepressures thereto rwhile it is fully` Ytudinally of the member 34, but 4they pending upon the direction of rotation). Adjacent to each slot is a shaft I8 revoiubly mounted in bearings |9 (Fig. 7) in the hub each shaft having a series oil-grip cams 2| thereon and an integral square projection 22 on its outer end. By applying a suitable wrench to the projection 22, the cams may be turnedcinto proper gripping engagement with the stock. Av plate 23 is secured to the outerv end of the main shaft l0 by means of screwsv 24'and serves 'to hold the hub Il in place.

Two segments 26 are pivotally connected to the hub at opposite sides of the xed segment |4 by Imeans of hinge pins 2l (Fig. 1). The outer surfaces 28 of the hinged segments are 'cylindrical. and when these segments are moved outwardly, as shown in Fig. 1, the surfaces 2'8 arev coaxial with the shaft I0. The hinged segments are formed with axially spaced interltting fingers 29 which bridge the gap between the free edges of the segments. Two coiled tension springs 3| are provided at opposite ends of the drum, the ends of these springs being connected to studs 32 which yturning the screw 39.

project fromthe hinged segments, so that these segments are biased toward their inneror collapsed positions.

The 'movements of the hinged segments are `controlled by an adjusting mechanism comprising an elongated member34 arranged to slide inv a longitudinally extending groove or guideway v35 formed inthe hub at the side opposite the fixed segment |4. AThis groove is preferably parallel with the axis'of the drum. The member 34 is provided near its outer end with a recess 3l to receive a nut 38 (Fig. 2) through which there extends ascrew 39. 'I'his screwfis formed with spaced thrust flanges 4|, and it is rotatably supported between these nariges by means of a bearing 42 on the adjacent portion of the hub The outer end of the screw 39 is provided with a hexagonal head 43 to which a. suitable'wrench can be B Dpliedl By turning the screw 39 it will be apparent that the member 34 -can be moved along the groove 35 in a desired manner. l This-member. is shaped to provide cam or wedge surfaces 45 on opposite sides thereof, these 'surfaces converging in a direction'longitudinal of the member, as shown particularly in Figs.'2 and 3. Preferably there are several'p'a'irs of these surfaces 45, the successive pairs being ,spaced along the member and all converging` in the same direction. Each surface 45 is convex, and so arranged that as it approaches the longitudinal centerline of the member 34 it makes a gradually increasing angle with this center line. Not only do the surfaces 45 of each pairl converge longialso conas shown are prefthey can verge in a radially outward direction,

series vof inwardly projecting bosses", corresponding in number withr the number of pairs of surfaces 4l. Each of these bosses is formed with a socket 48 having a concave spherical surface arranged to receive a swivel member or device 49. As indicated particularly iii-Fig. 8, each member 49 is shapedv substantially as 'a' hemisphere having on one side a concave-surface'5I of either conical or cylindrical form to correspond with the form l Atassembly Vthe swivel memof the surfaces 45.

`engage the cams at The operation of the invention will now be apparent from the above disclosure. With the shaft I0 stationary, theoperator will apply a wrench to the projection 43 and rotate the screw 39 to move the member,y .34 from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 2. During this movement the cam surfaces 45 will slide along the' surfaces 5| of the swivel members 49, and these members will turn in the sockets 48 as may be required to malintain contact between ,the sliding surfaces. This will swing the hinged segments 26 outwardly against the tension of the springs 3| and expand the drum. YThe front end of the stock will now be inserted in one ofthe slots Il, and the projection 22 of the corresponding cam shaft |8 will be turned by a suitable wrench to bring 'the cams 2| into gripping engageinent with the stock. Power will -thereupon be applied to the shaft I0 to rotate the entire drum and wind the stock into a coil thereon.

`Upon completion of the coil the shaft will be stopped, the grip cams 2| released, and the screw 39 rotated in the opposite direction to return the member 34to the position shown in Fig. 3. This will allow the springs 3| to pull the hinged segments 26 inwardly and collapse the drum, so that the coil can then be readily withdrawn from the drum in an axial direction.

The swivel members 49 with the cams are capable of withstanding readily the large crushing forces which are applied to the drum when a coil is wound thereon under tension. When the drum is expanded, the swivel members portions'which are inclined only slightly with respect to the drum axis, so that no great force need be applied axially to the member 34 either to hold the drum yexpanded or to collapse the same. Furthermore the curvature of the cams 45 greatly reduces the amount of motion required for the member 34 while providing a large amount of collapse and also makes it possible to provide a closer axial spacing between the swivel members, thus reducing the load which each must support. There is no tendency for the drum to expand or collapse by reason of the inertia of the coil, since the segment |4 is firmly keyed to the shaft. It will be noted from Fig. 4 that when the drum is collapsed it assumes a generally elliptical shape, which is similar to the shape assumed by a coil by reason of the sag or deflection caused by its own weight. Thus if the long axisof the ellipse is maintained upright, the removal of a coil or its mounting on the drum will be facilitated. When the drum is used as a pay-olf drum, it can be easily tightened very firmly against the inner surface of a completed coil, for as it approaches its expandedposition the swivel members 49 will engage the gradually inclined portions of the cam surfaces 45, which affords a high mechanical advantage to overcome the resistance caused by the radial pressure of the coil against the segments.

are in surface contact 45 and the sockets 48, and henceber mounted on thel driven supporting member,

and means to move the wedge member in a direction substantially parallel with the axis of the supporting memben'the wedge member being so shaped as to swing the segments outwardly during such (movement.

2. A collapsible drum comprising a rotatable supporting member including a hub and a segment, two segm'entshinged to the', member at opposite sides thereoR-a wedge member' mounted on the hub opposite the rst segment, the wedge member having Wedge surfaces on opposite sides thereof, means on the hinged segments engaging the wedge surfaces, and means to move the wedge member along the hub in a direction substantially parallel with the axis thereof. the wedge surfaces being so shaped as to swing the hinged segments outwardly during such movement.

3. A collapsible drumy comprising a rotatable supporting member' including a hub and a segment, the hub being-shaped to providea longitudinally extending guideway at the side opposite the segment, two segments hinged to the member at opposite sides thereof, a wedge member slidable along the guideway and provided with wedge surfaces on opposite sides, means on the hinged segments engaging the Wedge surfaces, and means to slide the Wedge member along the guideway, the wedge surfaces being so shaped as to swing the hinged segments outwardly during such movement.

4. A collapsible drum comprisinga rotatable supporting member including a hub and a segment, the hub having a longitudinally extending groove therein at the side opposite the segment,` two segments hinged to the member at opposite sides thereof, a wedge member slidable along the groove and provided with wedge surfaces on opposite sides, means on the hinged segments engaging the wedge surfaces, and means to slide the wedge member along the groove, the Wedge surfaces being so shaped as to swing the hinged segments outwardly during such movement.

5. A collapsible drum comprising a rotatable supporting member, a segment hinged thereto, a wedge member mounted on the supporting member and having a cur-ved wedge surface, a device rockably mounted on the segment and engaging the said wedge surface, and means to move the wedge member in such a manner as to swing the segment outwardly.

6. A collapsible drum comprising a rotatable supporting member, a segment hinged thereto and provided on its inner side with a socket having a concave spherical surface, a wedge member mounted on the supporting-member and having a concave spherical surface, awedge member mounted on thevsupporting member `and having a convex curved .wedge surface, a device rockably mounted in the socket, the devicel having onone side a convex spherical surface which engages the said concave surface of the socket and on the opposite side a concave surface whiclnengages thecurved wedge surface and is curved to t the same', and means to move the wedge member in such a manner as to swing the segment outwardly.

8. A collapsible drum comprising a rotatable supporting member shaped to provide a longi-` tudinally extending guideway, a segment hinged to the member, a wedge member slidable along the guide way and having a curved wedge surface, a device rockably mounted ,on'the segment ing a curved wedge surface, a device rockably mounted in the socket, the device having on one side a convex spherical surface which engages the said concave surface of the socket and on the opposite side a surface which engages the curved wedge surface and is curved to t the same, and means to move the wedge member in such a manner as to swing the segment outwardly.

7. A collapsible drumA comprising a rotatable supporting member, a segment hinged thereto and provided on its inner side with a socket havand engaging the said wedge surface, and actuating means for the wedge member.

9. A collapsible drum comprisinga rotatable supporting member shaped to 'provide a longitudinally extending guideway. a segment hinged to the member and provided on its inner side with a socket having a concave spherical surface, a wedge member slidable along the guideway and having a convex curved wedge surface, a device rockably mounted in the socket, the device having o n one side a convex spherical surface which engages the said concave surface of the socket and on the opposite side aconcave vsurface which engages the curved wedge sur- 10. A- collapsible drum comprising .a rotatable supporting member shaped to provide a longitudinally extending guideway, two segments hinged to the member and located. on opposite sides of the guideway, a wedge membeifeslidable along the guideway and having curved wedge surfaces on opposite sides, a device rockably mounted on each segment and engaging the adjacent wedge surface, and actuating means for the Wedge member.

11. A collapsible drum comprising a rotatable supporting member shaped to provide a longitudinally extending guideway, two segments hinged to the member and located on opposite sides of the guideway, a wedge member slidable along the guideway and provided with a plurality of pairs of wedge surfaces which` converge in a longitudinal direction, means on the segments engaging the`adjacent wedgesurfaces, and actuating means for the wedge member.

12. A collapsible drum comprising a rotatable supporting member shaped to provide a longitudinally extending guideway.,` two segments hinged to the member and located on opposite sides of the guideway, a wedge member slidable along the guideway and provided with a plurality of pairs of curved wedge surfaces which converge in a longitudinal direction, devices rockably mounted on the segments and engaging the adjacent wedge surfaces, and actuating means for the wedge member.

13. A collapsible drum comprising a rotatable supporting member including a hub and a segment, the hub being shaped to provide a longitudinally extending guideway at the side opposite the segment, two segments hinged to the member at opposite sides thereof. a wedge member vslidable along the guideway and provided with a plurality of pairs of convex curved wedge surfaces which.converge in a longitudinal direction and also in a radially outward direction, devices rockably mounted on the hinged segments t' and engaging .the ,adjacentfwedg'e surfaces, and

'actuatin'g means forthe wedge memben.

v 14. A collapsible drum comprising a rotatable supporting member including a hub and a segment, the hub being' Shaped' to prfovide a'longi- At'udinally extending guideway lati-the side opposite the segmenhtwo segments hinged to the c member at opposite sidesjthe'reof and each provided on its inner side with a vplurality of longitudinally spaced sockets with concave spherical cent `curved wedge surface and is Acurved to fit the same, and yactuat-ingmeans for the wedge member.

1'5. A collapsible drum comprising a rotatable supporting member shaped to provide a longitudinally' extending `guidevvay, a segment hinged to the member` a wedge member slidable along the guideway andhaving a convex curved wedge surface, a device Vrockably mounted on the segment and engaging the wedge surface, and actuating means for the wedge member. the parts being so constructed and arranged that when the drum is fullyexpanded the device will engage a portion of the wedge surface which is inclined relative to the guifleway at an angle approximately equal to the angle of friction between thclA device and the wedge surface.

ROY P. TOOKE. 

